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Ruiz feels good after taking swings in cage

Ruiz feels good after taking swings in cage

Carlos Ruiz

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PHILADELPHIA -- For the first time since going on the disabled list, Carlos Ruiz took a few swings in the batting cage on Monday afternoon. Afterward, the Phillies All-Star catcher said that he felt good.

It's a step in the right direction for Ruiz, who has been on the DL with plantar fasciitis in his left foot since Aug. 4. The original diagnosis was that he would be sidelined four to six weeks, meaning he would return in early to mid-September.

No longer wearing a protective boot, Ruiz said he also performed some leg exercises on Monday. He's also been able to work on his upper body and core.

Ruiz said he hopes to take batting practice on the field on Wednesday, then start running and doing more baseball activities next Tuesday. He said he was not sure of a timetable to start a rehab assignment.

With a .335 average, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs, Ruiz was having a career year and was the team's MVP in 2011.

"I want to come back real bad. I want to finish the season like healthy, you know," he said. "I'm happy now because I feel real good, and I feel like I'm close."